Electronics & Biomedical Engineering

Aim


Biomedical Engineering is the application of engineering principles and design concepts to close the gap between engineering and medicine. It combines the design and problem solving skills of engineering with medical and biological sciences to advance healthcare treatment, including diagnosis, monitoring, treatment and therapy.

Electronics and Biomedical Engineering of MEC was the first course in India to receive accreditation from the National Board of Accreditation (NBA). This course covers the basics required to help one get started in Biomedical Engineering. Over a period of 4 years, it covers a vast domain of areas in Electronics and Biomedical like Medical Physics, Signal Processing, Image Processing, Electronic Circuits, VLSI Design etc required in the Biomedical Field.

The course deals with the detailed study of Electronics for application in the field of Biomedical Instrumentation. Labs are equipped with the prominent diagnostic and therapeutic equipments. First in Kerala to start an engineering course in Electronics and Biomedical Engineering. Prides itself as being first in India to receive an accreditation for this B.Tech course.

The mission of the Biomedical Engineering program is to create, integrate, transfer and apply knowledge of engineering design and problem solving through the development of professionals and leaders by uniting engineering and health sciences faculty and counterparts in the community and create new medical devices, solve clinical problems, and promote collaboration with industry.

Objectives


  • To teach students how to analyse and implement practical solutions for complex interdisciplinary engineering problems.
  • To give students a strong foundation for post graduate studies in the field of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, Biometrics, Bioinformatics, and related disciplines.
  • To teach students how to use state-of-the-art software tools to solve biomedical and electrical engineering problems.
  • To provide students with hands-on engineering experience through laboratory courses and opportunities in industry and government laboratories.
  • To cultivate the ability of the students to communicate and work effectively in teams.

Dr. Jessy John


Experience


22 years experience in taking classes and guiding projects

Subjects Handling


Medical Physics
Bioelectric Phenomena
Digital Electronics
Microprocessors & Microcontrollers
Biosensors & Transducers
Principles of Radiodiagonosis & Radiotherapy
Biomaterials
Medical Imaging Techniques
Biosignal Processing

Publications


  • A Novel Adaptive Algorithm for Holter ECG Data Compression, IEEE Xplore - Proceedings of 4th International Conference on Advances in Computing and Communications (ICACC-2014)
  • Design and development of a Fiber Optic Evanescent wave sensor to evaluate the degree of fermentation in grape wine, OPTICS 2014, International Conference on Light, NIT Calicut
  • QRS complex processing system for telemetry — A comparative study based on filters, IEEE Xplore - Proceedings of the 2013 Annual International Conference on Emerging Research Areas (AICERA) & 2013 International Conference on Microelectronics, Communications and Renewable Energy (ICMiCR)
  • Inactivation of KIR current modulates subthreshold synaptic inpits in striatal medium spiny neurons: A computational study, IFMBE Proceedings of the World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering
  • Modulation of synaptic potentials and cell excitability by dendritic KIR and KAs channels in nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons: A computational study, Journal of Biosciences
  • KIR currents suppress neuronal spiking for unsynchronized distal synaptic inputs in striatal medium spiny neurons: A computational study.
  • N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor channels influence dendritic calcium signaling in nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons - A computational study, IFMBE Proceedings of the World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Munich, Germany
  • A Computational Study on Effects of Pairing BAPs and EPSPs in Medium Spiny Neurons of Nucleus Accumbens, Proceedings of the 2009 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Pattern Recognition (AIPR-09), Orlando, USA
  • KIR channels in nucleus accumbens MS neurons modulate integration of excitatory synaptic inputs: A computational study.
  • Role of Inward Rectifying Potassium Conductances in Propagation and Integration of Synaptic Inputs in Striatal Medium Spiny Neurons, Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Conference on Cognitive and Neural Systems (ICCNS 2009), Boston University, USA
  • Computational Investigations into Role of Inward Rectifying Potassium Conductances in Propagation and Integration of Electrical signals in Striatal Medium Spiny Neurons, International Conference on Advances in Neurosciences, Cochin.
  • A Computational Study on Effects of Pairing BAPs and EPSPs in Medium Spiny Neurons of Nucleus Accumbens (Abstract), NBNI Workshop on Neurobiology & Neuroinformatics, Cochin.
  • Forward propagation of signals in Medium Spiny neurons of Nucleus Accumbens: Role of KIR channels (Poster), Okinawa Computational Neuroscience Course (OCNC-2008), Japan.
  • Propogation of Potential Changes in Skeletal Muscles Incorporating Active Membrane Channels, Proceedings of the International Conference on Scientific and Engineering Computation 2004 (IC- SEC-2004), 30th June – 2nd July, Singapore.

    • Areas of interest


    Neuronal Signal Processing

    Biomedical Signal & Image Processing

    Biomedical Instrumentation

    Contact Details


    Professor & HOD, Department of Biomedical Engg.,
    Model Engg. College, Thrikkakkara,
    Cochin 682021, Kerala,
    04842575370 (444)
    hodbe@mec.ac.in































    Labs


    • Medical Electronics Lab
    • Biomedical Project Lab
    • BioSignal Processing Lab
    • Medical Systems Lab
    • Bioengineering Lab

    Equipment


    • The laboratories are well equipped with analytic equipment like Colorimeters, Hb meters, pH Meters, Flame Photometers and Spectrophotometer.

    • The huge array of diagnostic equipment include ECG Monitors, Multiparameter, Patient Monitor, Channel ECG Recorder, Single Channel ECG Recorder, Spirometer, EMG Monitors, EEG Machines,Treadmill, Holter recorder, 100mA X-Ray machine, Pulse Oximeter, Foetal Monitor, lead ECG recorder with USB interface, 3 channel Multi-parameter Monitor,Single channel ECG recorder, Treadmill with ECG analysis, Ultrasound Scanner and Polygraph.

    • Therapeutic Equipments available are Syringe infusion pump, Defibrillator (2 versions) and Electro Surgical Unit.

    • Some of the biosignal processing facilities available are (BIOPAC) Biosignal Acquisition & Processing Unit, DSP Kit, PC based EEG, ECG, EMG recording and processing and Universal Programmer.

    • Various testing and measurement equipment such as Arbitrary waveform generator with system interface, Low frequency Spectrum Analyzer, High precision synthesized function generator, 6713 DSP trainer kit, Priosignal acquisition unit, Lux meter. , DSO 60, 100 and 200 MHz , Programmable Power Supply are available in the labs as well.

    • The other equipments are Biokit and Polyrite.

    Resources


    • TEQIP funded lab: Expansion of existing labs and introduction of new labs like the BSP lab, Project lab, etc., have taken place, along with updation and purchase of the latest equipment.
    • AICTE funded projects (MODROBS): As per Modernization and Removal of Obsolescence (MODROBS) scheme, Rs.6.7 Lakhs was alloted to Biomedical lab and Rs.17 Lakhs to Bio Engineering Lab
    • Well equipped Catheterization lab for demonstration.
    • Seminars and talks are held to aid them and improve their didactic abilities, the most recent one being the talk on student psychology by Dr. Razeena Padmam.
    • Well maintained departmental library with around 200 books. The books are utilised by the teaching staff, technical staff and the students.
    • Ties with important organisations like Sree Chitra Institute in Trivandrum, NPOL, Amritha institute of medical sciences for doing projects prescribed in the curriculum.

    Biomedical Association


    The Biomedical Association focuses on developing the technical and academic knowhow of the students of the Biomedical department. BMA regularly organizes conferences and presentations intended to explore the myriad dimensions of biomedical technology.

    Latest Activities:

    Alumnus Talk by Dr. Charulatha Ramanathan

    Biomedical Association conducted an alumnus talk on November 22nd 2016 by Dr. Charu Ramanathan (1995 batch). She is working as Senior Business Director at Medtronic, USA. Her startup CardioInsight was acquired by Medtronic in 2015 for $93 million.

    Medical Expo on Excel 2016

    Biomedical Association organized a Medical Equipment Exhibition, Bionox in association with Cochin Medical College. Medical Expo included an Equipment exhibition where more than 30 equipment and models of latest technologies in biomedical field were exhibited. Demonstrations of the equipment were also conducted. BBRAUN presented a demonstration session on their dialysis machine as a part of the same.

    Medtronic Seminar on Excel 2016

    Biomedical Association conducted a talk session by Medtronic on Selling in Biomedical Devices as a part of Excel 2016. The session was aimed at making an awareness about life- saving technologies and developing the skills required in biomedical industry. Students from different colleges attended the session.

    BMA Website and Newsletter launch

    Biomedical Association launched its official website bma.mec.ac.in and News Letter "ECHO" that would be published once in every month. Website and News Letter officially launched by Mr. Sujith S, the Managing Director of Ibis Medical, in the presence of Head of Biomedical Department Dr. Jessy John and BMA Staff-in-ChargeMrs. Minimol B , on 31st of August, 2016.

    BMA Philips seminar on Excel 2014

    On 26th September 2014, as part of Excel 2014, the Biomedical Association rendered a golden platform for the exclusive seminar on Modern Medical equipments taken by Mr. U. Sunil, the regional manager, customer support, Philips Healthcare. The seminar helped to enlighten the students and teachers with the technical aspects related to modern day hospital equipments. The experts on dias talked about the latest advancements in CT, MRI and Ultrasound. The active participants of the seminar made the three hour session very exciting and lively. The seminar had 100 participants from all over the state and it proved to be a quality technical treat for both the teachers and students.

    National Conference For Biomedical Engineers

    25 students from BMA of Govt. MEC attended the National Conference for Biomedical Engineers that was held at KIMS, Trivandrum on 14th July, 2012. The program addressed the knowledge upgradation requirement for Biomedical Engineers. Pioneers in the field of Biomedical Engineering, hospital infrastructure planning and quality assurance took part as speakers and panelists. Inauguration of the Medical Equipment Testing and Calibration Lab was carried out along with the National Conference for Biomedical Engineers at KIMS (Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences), Trivandrum.

    Talk on the scope of biomedical engineering

    As a BMA flag-off event for the year 2012, a talk by Dr. Regi Mohan from CMC (Cooperative Medical College) was organised. The talk shed light on the future scope of Biomedical Engineering, various branches of the course and the job opportunities for the same.

    Prateeksha eye & blood donation camp

    The Bio-Medical Association (BMA) and Young Indians (Yi) in association with NSS of Model Engineering College hosted an eye donation and eye check-up campaign along with blood donation and diabetes check-up.The two-day event was conducted on the 25th and 26th of February 2011.

    The campaign was driven with the aid of Ernakulam General Hospital, Amritha Hospital and Little Flower Hospital, Angamaly, which received the pledges for the eye donation. This eye donation campaign was seen as a stepping stone to what a student network can achieve with the available resources with the aim of creating awareness among the general public and students to remove the mis-concepts and prejudices about the donation.

    Medico Spectaculo

    The Bio-Medical Association of Model Engineering College, in association with SCTIMS (TVM) and AIMS (Kochi) conducted "MEDICO SPECTACULO", a Biomedical equipment exposition held on 24-25 September, 2011.The medical expo included major equipments of biomedical field and exotic innovations from SCTIMS. This was one of the biggest events held by BMA.

    Biomedical instrument & servicing workshop

    The workshop on Biomedical Equipments and Maintenance was conducted from 2nd to 5th February, 2009 for students of Govt. Polytechnic, Vechuchira. A workshop on Servicing Biomedical Equipments was held for polytechnic students from 23rd to 27th February, 2009.

    Talk on statistical parametric mapping & its applcation in functional MRI

    There was a talk conducted by the biomedical department on Statistical Parametric mapping and its applications in Functional MRI by Dr. Sujith from SCT, Trivandrum. The talk was followed by demonstration in the afternoon session.

    Inaugaration of the biomedical association for the year 2007

    For the purpose of giving a new head start with newly elected members of association, there was a function held on the 3rd of march 2007. The inauguration was by Dr. Niranjan Khambate Scientist, Sri Chrithra Tirunal Institute of Science and Technology, Biomaterials wing, Trivandrum; There were talks on "Biomedical Technology Development:important issues in the Indian Context", "Biosensors and Systems based on MEMS Technology” by Dr. Mohanavelu (Scientist, DEBEL, Bangalore) followed by an interactive discussion with the ex-MECians.

    Seminar in recent trends in biomechanics

    A talk was arranged by the Biomedical Department on the above department on 23rd and 24th March, 2006. The eminent speakers included Dr. Lazar Chandy, Department of Orthopedics, Lakeshore Hospital , Dr. K V Menon, Department of Orthopedics, AIMS, P K Ranjith, Department of Orthopedics, EMC, Dr. Nandakumar, Department of Ship Technology, CUSAT, Kochi and Dr. Jacob Thomas V, Principal, College of Engineering, Kottarakkara

    Emerging trends in medical imaging & its applications

    A talk was held on 20th and 21st April 2006, which consisted of 6 sessions. The sessions were conducted on "Molecular Imaging" and "Recent Areas of Research in Medical Image Processing" by Dr. N.Kumaravel, Department of Electronics and communication, Anna University, Chennai; "3D and 4D ultrasound Technology and its applications" by Dr. Riji Mathew Choorakuttil, M.D, DNB, Amma Scan and LAB, Cochin and Mr. Sreenath, Wipro Technologies; " Recent advancements in CT Imaging technology and clinical applications” by Dr. Amel Antony, MD DNB MNAMS, Consultant Radiologist and Imageologist, Institute of Radiology and Imaging scientist (IRIS) , Kochi and "Recent advancements in MRI" by Dr. D Anilkumar MD DNB, Consultant Radiologist, Institute of radiology and imaging sciences (IRIS), Kochi.

    Talk on "New trends in biomedical engg"

    Biomedical Association of MEC organized a technical talk on 27th Aug 2003, delivered by Dr. Megha Singh, Professor, IIT, Madras, on "New Trends in Biomedical Engg." Mr. Deepak A.G, Secretary, BMA, MEC welcomed the gathering. Prof. Singh familiarized the students with the advances in the field of Biomedical Engg. He also reminded the students of their importance in the present scenario and gave valuable guidelines for higher education.

    Becon-97

    BECON-97, National conference on advances in Biomedical Engg. and product exhibition was held at Model Engg. College, Kochi, from 4th to 6th Sept. 1997.

    The programme was organized with an objective to

    • To assimilate and catalyze newer technologies
    • To enhance awareness in the state of the art techniques in medical instrumentation
    • To provide an awareness of the research activities taking place throughout the country
    • To develop an improved interaction between the medical community and the technical community
    • To promote the popularization of low cost technology for India

    With these objectives in mind, Biomedical Engg. Dept. of MEC took up the responsibility of organizing BECON.The following eminent personalities were members of the advisory committee.

    • Prof. MP Nair, Director, IHRDE, Tvm.
    • Dr. K Sukulal, Addl. Director, IHRDE, Tvm
    • Dr. Lazar Mathew ,Director, DEBEL, Bangalore.
    • Dr. K Mohandas, Director,SCTIMST, Tvm.
    • Dr. KG Balakrishnan, Registrar, CUSAT, Cochin
    • Dr. Megha Singh, Professor, Biomedical Division, IIT, Madras.

    Eminent personalities across the country presented papers and shared their views in the conference. New emerging trends were discussed with great enthusiasm. Several papers were presented in the following areas.

    • Medical Instrumentation
    • Medical Imaging
    • Biomechanics
    • Modelling & Simulation

    Recent Projects


    • Neuro Linguistic Robot
      The project focuses on the movement of limbs accompanied by event related re-synchronisation and synchronisation within the Electroencephalogram.The movement of the robot is controlled by a microprocessor according to the EEG signal.

    • Speech Trainer Kit Using Laryngeal Vibration
      Aims to develop hardware and software tools for speech training for hearing impaired on a multilingual basis. The project consists of the development of a software package for transforming speech signals into images where the laryngeal vibrations are used instead of speech signal.

    • Patient Monitoring System using GSM
      The project deals with wireless medical diagnostic system that can be portrayed as a model and helps the medical practitioners to monitor the critical parameters of a patient located in a geologically remote location with the help of a global communication medium, that is Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM).

    • Face as Mouse
      This technology performs hands free cursor control. The system tracks the movement of face to control the mouse pointer. The goal of the project is to create a solution that will be usable for people with disabilities, with little to no cost involved.

    • Low Cost Solution To Gait Cycle Digitization
      Analysis of human gait cycle using specially developed potentiometric sensors at the ankle, knee and hip to measure angular displacement. Gait analysis is a valuable tool in diagnosing walking disorders.

    • Volume Visualization in Medical Imaging
      It's a volume visualization system that provides a comprehensive 3-D image with several 2-D cross sectional slices given as inputs. The cross sectional images obtained from CT or MRI can be interpreted for diagnostic purposes.

    • Wavelet Analysis of ECG
      It provides a better description of EEG signals. In this system time frequency representation has been used. Wavelet transforms have time frequency capabilities. Further they provide multilead analysis of the signal.

    • REM & Analysis of Chithra Valve
      Finite element analysis is a method for the analysis of stresses associated with complex structures. The project aims at modeling of heart valve and studying the stress distribution and displacement sensitivity due to loading.

    • Spectral Analysis of EEG Using FET
      This project aims at comparing the EEG of a normal person and that of an Alzheimer's patient from power spectrum obtained from digitized EEG wavelets. The decimation in time algorithm is used for extracting the frequency components from the EEG signals.

    • Non Linear Analysis of EEG Signal
      The aim of the project is to perform a spectral analysis of human EEG using wavelet transform. For this a multilevel wavelet transform analysis is performed. The signal is passed through a series of low pass and high pass filters and approximated detached coefficients obtained at each point are plotted.

    Students Achievements


    • Mr. Rosh Cherian's (1996 batch) Artificial Intelligence based startup company, CogniCor, won the 2012 Most Innovative European Startup Award.
    • Mr. Vinu Krishnan of 2003 batch, was selected among 40 students from the state of Ohio to present individual research work at the 2007 BioOhio Annual Conference held on November 12th 2007, in Dublin, Ohio, U.S.A. Topic Name: Nanoparticle based "Paint-Brush" like Multi-hydroxyl capped - Poly (ethylene glycol) Conjugate as a Potential Drug Carrier - the presentation described the design and synthesis of a nanoparticle based drug delivery system that has a potential use in targeted cancer nanotherapy.
    • Mr. Krishnaswamy of 1999, Electronics and Biomedical Batch is one of the esteemed few who have made it to the top of the corporate world. He got an offer to be the second highest payee in India from INTEL TECHNOLOGIES in the year 2000. Currently working under the field of management education, he is dedicated to improving the managerial skills of students.
    • Rajeshwari B.S and Shaj Ibrahim of Electronics and Biomedical department have made their mark in the history of our College. Together they designed a power driven wheelchair with movement control system. This system makes use of a joystick to control the direction of the wheelchair. This project was highly acclaimed by "The Hindu" for its innovation and its enterprise.
    • Sandeep P Nair of 2000 batch is the co-inventor of provisional US Patent on Seizure Control 2007.